Diesel heat? (2009, how much, house)

[krystalbeth]

I am moving to ND in two weeks into a house with "diesel heat". I'm assuming that is super expensive. Can anyone tell me first hand about how much I am looking at to heat our house all winter? Is it innefficient? Would I do well to invest in some of those "Amish" heater things? Is it like the actual diesel fuel you buy at a gas station? How many gallons a month on average would I use? I know no-one who has ever used diesel to heat a house so I am hoping someone on here has some answers for me!

[marmac]

It usually is called " home heating oil" or " furnace oil"

If the tank is in the basement, " furnace oil" ( similar to diesel fuel) would be used.

If the tank is outside "# 1 fuel oil" would be used to prevent gelling when it gets cold. Many truckers run a blend of #1 and diesel fuel to prevent gelling in their trucks in winter,

Here in Minnesota, heating with fuel oil is quite popular in rural areas and most towns have 1 or 2 distributors who deliver bulk fuel and are busy in winter doing so.

I heat with fuel oil ( boiler/hot water heat) and am well satisfied with it.

[mtlogger]

Heating oil is cheaper because there's no federal tax on it. It is usually called red-dye diesel and cannot be legally used on highway trucks like mine. With the newer ULSD fuels we don't need to run #1D anymore - the fuel stops put additives in the mixture.

I grew up in Amish country and there's no such thing as an Amish heater! The Amish don't use electricity.

[krystalbeth]

I know that, that's why I put it in quotation marks. That's just what they're called. I believe the premise is that the Amish supposedly make the wooden fireplace/mantle that goes around the heater. Never heard of them?

[mtlogger]

Yeah, and it's a rip-off. The heaters are just so-so made in China, hardly Amish. They use a lot of electricity to operate and are very costly.

Better Business Bureau complaints and "Amish heaters": Consumer Reports Home & Garden Blog

A diesel Espar heater would cost less to own and operate. I have one on our boat - that easily heats to 85F if I let it. Primarily made for boats and trucks.

Espar - Marine

[mtlogger]

I heat with wood pallet burner/boiler and hot water.